The New York Yankees announced in July that they would be holding Derek Jeter Day in the Bronx on September 7 prior to the team's game against the Kansas City Royals. Jeter addressed the fans at Yankee Stadium as well as others in attendance.
Michael Jordon, Cal Ripken Jr. and the MLB's heir to Bud Selig, Rob Manfred, were present at the farewell ceremony prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. game. The 20-year veteran thanked everyone at the event - fans, family, friends, colleagues, and most notably, George Steinbrenner and his family for giving him the opportunity to play in New York his entire career.
Beginning with today's game, the Yankees will continue to wear commemorative patches to honor Jeter for the remainder of the season. The shortstop was also honored with video tributes from celebrities and other famous athletes in between innings, including one from astronauts Steve Swanson, Reid Wiseman and Alex Gerst tipping their caps to the longtime Yankee from the International Space Station.
Although the MLB season isn't over for another three weeks, the Yankees decided to conduct the ceremony this weekend even after the team had a farewell ceremony for Mariano River last year during the team's final weekend home series. Their last home game is on September 25 against the Baltimore Orioles, so now Jeter will have two days he'll remember forever, which he said of today's farewell event, after he received much adulation from everyone.
"I don't think anybody can say one thing bad about Derek," said Michael Jordan, in this ESPN article. "He's a complete champion. He's an idol for me in terms of how he's well-respected in the game, from not just his teammates, but his opponents. He carries himself like every professional baseball player, or professional athlete should."
Take a look at the videos of Derek Jeter Day below:
Jeter receives an ovation from those in attendance:
Jeter thanks everyone for their support over the years:
